Global Builders – Thailand

Thailand, whose name means “Land of the Free,” is an ancient kingdom that holds the rare distinction of never being colonized by another nation. Known as Siam until 1939, the country continues to have a symbolic monarchy that is held with high reverence. Thailand also prides itself as being a welcoming place for tourists, making it a very popular country to visit.

Despite its many attractive features, there is a great need for decent shelter as there are many families who could never afford to improve their home with conventional builders and bank financing. Many of these families live in very basic and inadequate structures made of Teak wood, but desire a more adequate and modern house. We are partnering with families in the city of Lampang in northern Thailand to offer them an opportunity to reach their dreams.

Each trip to Thailand will be with a group of mission-minded volunteers – typically 8-20 total – who want to experience the world, meet new people, and make a difference. No skills required. Trips last 1-2 weeks and include sightseeing in this beautiful, mountainous nation.

Click on the leader’s name to learn more about the leader and trip details. Click “Join” to apply for their trip. Have a spot reserved on a “Full” trip? Complete your registration here. Or learn about sending funds to support local labor by joining as a virtual participant.

Thailand prides itself as a welcoming place for tourists to visit, and it is such a major part of the Thai economy that many areas have become very touristy. Lampang, the small city where we are working, holds the original sense of Thailand without the drawbacks that tourist centers frequently bring. Traditional restaurants sit next to attractive, modern Thai-owned coffee shops, and cars share the road with horse-drawn carriages. It is the perfect place to walk around and safely explore modern Thailand.

Many families in Lampang, especially on the outskirts and rural areas surrounding the city, live in very basic homes of Teak wood that are sadly inadequate for modern living. Families desire and deserve homes that can keep out rain, insects and other critters, but the dirt floors and wide gaps in the wooden walls fall short. The Fuller Center believes that no family should need to live this way and so helps to build homes that are simple and decent according to modern Thai standards. Volunteer labor, along with the Biblical model of a no-profit, no-interest loan makes the homes affordable for families; the family’s repayments make the same opportunity available for others. The work is led by a Board of Directors of dedicated Thais who are motivated by their Christian faith and donate their time and energy into making the program possible.

Learn the Basics – Area Info

Language:

Thai (Official) 90.7%, Burmese 1.3%, Other 8%

Age Structure:

0-14 years 17.18%, 15-24 years 14.47%, 25-54 years 46.5%, 55+ 21.85%

Population:

68,200,824 (2016 est.)

Life Expectancy:

74.7 years (Male 71.5, Female 78)

Climate:

Highs: 80s to 90s Lows: 60s to 70s Rainy Season: May-September

Currency:

Thai Baht (THB) $1USD = 33.3 THB

Literacy Rate:

96.7% (96.6% Male, 96.7% Female)

Ethnic Groups:

Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, Other 1.1%, Unspecified <0.1%

Religion:

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, Other/None 0.1%

More Info – Learn more about what a trip is like

Typical Day

Sample Schedule:

7:00 a.m. – Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – Depart for work-site

8:30 a.m. – Start building

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Continue building

5:00 p.m. – Evening free for dinner and relaxation (Exact schedules can be discussed and set depending on the team’s preferences and length of stay.)

Type of work

We will be building mostly new homes throughout the Lampang area. The homes will be built with block and will typically be around 500 square feet. Work will typically involve helping the masons and carpenters. This work involves laying block, mixing/carrying cement and mortar, digging the foundation, moving materials, and digging latrines. We will provide necessary tools, but as with most build sites, it never hurts to bring a few small hand tools with you.

Food and Lodging

There will be two lodging options for team leaders to choose from. They are priced very similarly and both provide a good breakfast. More details can be found below:

R-Lampang Guest House: This option provides more of a community feel for groups. The guest house offers double rooms with each room having its own bathroom. This option is within walking distance of many shops and resturants. You can learn more at the following link: www.r-lampang.com/room.en.html

Regent Lodge: This is a more standard hotel that is located in the heart of Old City, Lampang. It offers double rooms and includes a nice breakfast buffet. To learn more you can visit their website – www.regentlampang.com/en/main/index.php

Transportation

A small bus/taxi will be rented out to transport the group throughout each day. The drive to the build site will vary but it will generally be between 10-30 minutes. For evening travel, much of town is within an easy walk, or the vehicle can be rented out for evening excursions as well.

Rest, Relaxation, and Sightseeing

Thailand is a place that is very friendly to tourists and offers a lot of sightseeing opportunities. One of the most popular places to visit in Lampang is the Elephant Home where you can watch an elephant show as well as potentially learn to ride and care for elephants. Lampang is also known for its horse carriages which offer different tours of the city. Groups can also explore on their own in the evenings as there are many shops and restaurants located within walking distance of the hotel and guesthouse

A completed Fuller Center home in Lampang, Thailand

Costs

Most seven day trips will cost between $900-$1,000. Two-week trips will cost more, ranging between $1,200 and $1,400. More precise budgets are custom and are developed for each trip. The trip fee includes food, lodging, all in-country transportation, emergency medical and evacuation insurance, and a donation to the project.

Next Steps

As trips with openings become available, we post them at the top of this page. To apply to join their trip, simply click “Join” next to the trip of your choice. To request more information or be put in touch with the team leader, click the “Request more information” button at the top. If you’re an experienced traveler or team leader, or if you have a group of your own (church, school, etc.), Propose a Trip to let us know what you might like to do!

Trip Preparation

Are you unsure of how to prepare for such an experience or just looking for some tips on how to be better prepared? If so, we suggest you take a look at our Trip Preparation page where you will find a lot of helpful information and links – Preparing For Your Trip!